# What does the term "purring" refer to? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 24, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243 "2011-12-24T03:20:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/1 "2011-12-24T03:20:31Z")
Please settle a debate between my sister and myself. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/2 "2011-12-24T03:31:43Z")
I’m not a cat owner, but it’s the “low-pitched vibratory sound a cat makes” such as [this.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u38xZsCTCOY) My understanding is that they usually do it when they’re happy. My limited interaction with cats leads me to believe they tend to purr when being petted. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/3 "2011-12-24T03:31:47Z")
I’m not sure where the debate is here. Words do mean specific things, right? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/4 "2011-12-24T03:34:38Z")
It also is used idiomatically to suggest someone being sarcastic, in a subtle fashion. “‘Why no,’ he purred, ‘I’m sure it isn’t the ugliest hat in the world.’” It’s a nice companion to being “catty.” ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/5 "2011-12-24T03:37:08Z")
So either your sister or yourself think a purr is _any_ sound a cat makes? Have you heard a cat yowl, screech, etc? ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/6 "2011-12-24T03:38:28Z")
I’m owned by multiple cats and there is a world of difference between a purr and the other sounds made by my felines. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/7 "2011-12-24T03:39:27Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > It also is used idiomatically to suggest someone being sarcastic, in a subtle fashion. “‘Why no,’ he purred, ‘I’m sure it isn’t the ugliest hat in the world.’” It’s a nice companion to being “catty.” I’m not sure if you’re joking or not, but I can’t say I’ve ever heard it used like that (admittedly though, I’m not a big reader). I can only think of one other common use. That is to say that some piece of machinery/engine/motor (usually a car) is running very smoothly. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/8 "2011-12-24T04:10:09Z")
My cats make a variety of noises, their way of ‘talking’. While I am sure each of them has it’s own meaning, they are nothing like ‘purring’. Purring is sub-vocal. Not necessarily just a sign of contentment…I read it somewhere, possibly HERE, that ‘cats will purr for any reason, even if they’re in the middle of a fight with a mailman AND his dog’. Or something like that. But yeah. I would be astounded to find there is any other definition of a cat’s purr than the one that, so far, everyone has voted for. ---
**Author:** ![UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/46a35a/32.png) [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFC_Is_Sux)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/9 "2011-12-24T04:13:55Z")
I’ve heard cats that were in a great deal of pain purr like, well, kittens. They don’t just purr because they’re happy or digging something. ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/10 "2011-12-24T04:17:49Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > My cats make a variety of noises, their way of ‘talking’. While I am sure each of them has it’s own meaning, they are nothing like ‘purring’. Purring is sub-vocal. Not necessarily just a sign of contentment…I read it somewhere, possibly HERE, that ‘cats will purr for any reason, even if they’re in the middle of a fight with a mailman AND his dog’. Or something like that. > > But yeah. I would be astounded to find there is any other definition of a cat’s purr than the one that, so far, everyone has voted for. I’ve read that in addition to doing it when they’re happy, they may also do it when extremely frightened/distressed, as a way of comforting themselves. I can’t remember where I read it, though, and will go look it up if anyone insists (how’s that for being both lazy and well-meaning? heh). But as the cat-owned lady above notes, it’s the vibratory sound, not the yelling/screeching/mewling/meowing sounds. **Psychobunny** , tell us your sister is the psycho one in the family, ok? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/11 "2011-12-24T04:31:29Z")
They definitely do it in distress also, but normally it’s a happy sound. (In fact, sometimes it isn’t a sound - my cat Dewey purrs such that you can’t hear him but can feel it if you put a finger against what on a human would be his voicebox.) ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/12 "2011-12-24T04:42:30Z")
One of the best moments from _My Name Is Earl_: Randy, uncomfortably holding a cat: “Uh-oh, it’s making that weird I-like-you noise.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/13 "2011-12-24T04:50:12Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I’m not sure where the debate is here. Words do mean specific things, right? ‘When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/14 "2011-12-24T05:07:53Z")
I am with those saying that purring only refers to the low vibration noise. One of my cats is not very vocal and when she makes noise it is usually to purr (unless the dog bothers her, and then she will growl or hiss at the dog). The other one though is extremely talkative and constantly makes a wide range of noises. He purrs alot, but he also trills (which is a clearly distinct noise apart from purring). He also yowls and meows a lot. Purring is definitely not a catch all term. I don’t think anyone who is familiar with the range of vocalizations cats make would say that it’s all purring. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/15 "2011-12-24T05:18:34Z")
Thanks for the replies. My sister has insisted that any sound a cat makes can be refered to as purring. She says that when a dog says “woof” it is called barking and when a cat says “meow” it is called purring. I have countered that the latter is meowing, or mewing, or mewling. We then asked both of my parents who agreed with her. Apparently, however, I am right which along with my Scrabble win will allow me to continue to lord it over her for the next day or two. FWIW, my cats not only purr and meow, they also trill and chatter (and bitch and moan that I don’t feed them enough). ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/16 "2011-12-24T05:23:28Z")
> **[Purr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purr)** > > A purr is a tonal fluttering sound made by some species of felids, including both larger, outdoor cats and the domestic cat (Felis catus), as well as two species of genets. It varies in loudness and tone among species and in the same animal. > Although true purring is exclusive to felids and viverrids, other animals such as raccoons produce vocalizations that sound similar to true purring. Animals that produce purr-like sounds include mongooses, kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, badgers, rabbits ... Show this to your sister. Or if you want to be more direct, try [http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/purr[1]](http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/purr%5B1%5D) ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/17 "2011-12-24T05:23:58Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I’m not sure where the debate is here. Words do mean specific things, right? 😃 This might be one of the few occasions where Dopers agree that, in this context, they do. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/18 "2011-12-24T05:40:43Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > It also is used idiomatically to suggest someone being sarcastic, in a subtle fashion. “‘Why no,’ he purred, ‘I’m sure it isn’t the ugliest hat in the world.’” It’s a nice companion to being “catty.” Interesting. I’ve never thought of the figurative use as implying _sarcasm_, because sarcasm is not necessarily about satisfaction. I think the connection to _catty_ is coincidental. Here’s the OED: [QUOTE=Oxford English Dictionary] purr, v.2… b. Of a person: to express chiefly pleasure or satisfaction by low, murmuring sounds; to speak in a low, soft voice, esp. seductively. Also: to behave in a self-satisfied or seductive manner. [/quote] Somehow I just don’t connect seductiveness to sarcasm, which is about being caustic, rather than pleased. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/19 "2011-12-24T06:35:41Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’m not sure if you’re joking or not, but I can’t say I’ve ever heard it used like that (admittedly though, I’m not a big reader). > > I can only think of one other common use. That is to say that some piece of machinery/engine/motor (usually a car) is running very smoothly. Superb point; purring is often used as a simile for a smoothly running engine. And, aye, I’m serious; “purring” is often used as a verb for someone saying something sarcastic. Saying something “with their claws out” is another metaphor equating cattiness with mean-spirited speech. “Purring” in this way is a bit dated – it’s something Agatha Christie might more likely have written than, say, Stephen King. Edited to add: "“Wroth, darling,” she purred, smiling so sweetly. “I can’t wait for the next time I get to put my mouth on you.” In an instant the smile faded and she snapped her teeth and yanked her head back as if she was chewing something free.” ― Kresley Cole, The Warlord Wants Forever ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243/20 "2011-12-24T06:43:12Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Interesting. I’ve never thought of the figurative use as implying _sarcasm_, because sarcasm is not necessarily about satisfaction. I think the connection to _catty_ is coincidental. Here’s the OED:Somehow I just don’t connect seductiveness to sarcasm, which is about being caustic, rather than pleased. I think the idea is that the “purring” implies a soft tone of voice, thus disguising the meanness behind it. It leads to a double-take, where you figure out that what sounded gentle…actually wasn’t. The seductiveness conceals the bitterness…but only for a moment. But, obviously, we’re way down in the caverns of connotation here, where the ways are winding and mazy and one man’s meet is another man’s passion… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-term-purring-refer-to/607243.md?page=2)